Jobs

I’m desperately seeking a new job. But how do I avoid being a target of job scams?

Job search scams are on the rise. Elaine Varelas guides on things to look for.

Ask the Job Doc. Boston.com

August 2, 2023

3 minutes to read

Q. I’m embarrassed to admit that I was the victim of a job scam and lost a bit of money. How can I avoid this from happening again?

A. Sadly, recent headlines reveal that you are not alone, so please don’t be embarrassed and let’s alert as many people as we can! Even the most tech savvy people have fallen prey to these highly sophisticated scammers. In the first three months of 2023, the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker reported losses of nearly $840,000, up over 250% from 2022. There are certainly things to be on the lookout for and always remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t and if you do proceed, check out everything first.

·       Scammers Targeting Job Seekers as Layoffs Mount (CNET)
·       BBB Scam Alert: How to spot a job scam – no matter how sophisticated (BBB)
·       Fake Job Scams Are Becoming More Common—Here’s How To Protect Yourself (Forbes)
·       Fake Job Scams Are Exploding. Here’s How to Catch an HR Impostor (NBC Bay Area)

There are numerous red flags to be on the lookout for. One example is if a search firm or recruiting agency refers to themselves as a “reputable” firm in their communications to you. The majority of contingency and retained search firms are reputable, but any reputable firm wouldn’t use the term “reputable” to describe themselves. Be wary of any sense of urgency. For example, a recruiter may say that you must complete an online evaluation within two hours to be considered as a candidate for the role. Any sense of urgency on a first conversation should give you pause. Another red flag is if the job posting advertises an unrealistic or inflated salary and promises placement. If they need to rewrite your resume, they will do that, or they can tell you to find someone who can help you. Don’t use the firm (another false door) they recommend.

When working with a recruiter online, you want to get a personal or corporate reference from someone who has previously worked with the firm before you send anyone any money. Recruiters are paid by the company not by you, so what are you paying for? Look into any instances where you are referred to another firm or company, particularly when you are asked to pay a fee. Make sure that you research any search firm or company that reaches out to you before engaging with them or even accepting a LinkedIn invitation from them.

Take the time to research the firm or company on the Better Business Bureau to search for complaints. Look them up on LinkedIn to see if any of your connections follow them or have connections at the firm. When reviewing job postings or communications, keep an eye out for typos, spelling, grammatical errors, etc. Do not give out any personal information, such as your social security number or bank information, EVER. If they are asking you for this information in the initial stages of the interview process, this is a red flag. You will NOT need to provide that information until you are hired. And if you see a job scam or lose money to one, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recommends that you take the time to report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Remember if you were asked for this kind of information or given these directions on the phone you’d be skeptical. So be more wary online. Even providing a small amount of money to these job scammers that lead you to believe that there are real job opportunities really adds up and you need to protect yourself. It’s unfortunate that this happened to you, but now you have the tools and knowledge to avoid this happening again. Don’t be afraid to share your experience with family or friends to warn them. The reality is that you will be seeing more and more of these scams, particularly with advancements in AI.